Background
Kalmanovich, Shabtai was born in 1945.
Kalmanovich, Shabtai was born in 1945.
Arrived in Israel in 1971 as an immigrant from the USSR. Set up several firms dealing with properties and commodities operating in subSaharan Africa. Soon achieved great success in the black homeland of Bophuthatswana in South Africa. Set up his HQ in the capital, Mmabatho.
His firm, Liat Construction, obtained multi-million dollar contracts for some extraordinary projects. Became a millionaire and befriended President Mangope. Appointed by Mangope to represent his ‘state’ in Israel.
Shortly afterwards, opened an office in Tel Aviv opposite the British Embassy. Travelled to London where he stayed in the Sheraton Hotel, Knightsbridge. In July 1987, the police stormed his room and arrested him.
He was held in Pentonville prison. The US government approached the British government in order to extradite him on charges involving cheque frauds worth $2 million. Eventually deported to Israel whose security services, Shin Bet, arrested him on arrival (23 December (1987).
Put on trial. September 1988. Shin Bet has been quoted as saying that he is ‘one of the highest-paid Committee for State Security moles to operate in Israel’.
